The newly-formed Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) will soon have members of Indias central intelligence agencies like Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) rubbing shoulders with them in intelligence gathering.
The ATS was revived a month ago after it was abruptly discontinued in November 2003. The squad was initially set up after the series of bomb blasts that rocked Mumbai since December 2002.
According to senior police sources, officers from RAW and IB will be sharing ATS chowkies that are being set up. Three temporary chowkies have been functioning from Nagpada, Chembur and Juhu.
These will cover the entire city and its outskirts. Work on setting up offices has started at the Old Traffic Department Office in Nagpada.
The squad comprises 20 officers and constables who have been sworn to secrecy. They will be provided with sophisticated weapons and high-tech electronic gadgets.
The primary task of the squad is to collect and verify intelligence information. It has been empowered to carry out operations in any part of the state without giving prior notification to local police stations. The squad can also lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against any accused in any part of Maharashtra.
The 56-member Quick Response Team (QRT) set up by former home and deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal in early 2003, will be merged with the ATS to help carry out strike operations.
The ATS squad
Joint Commissioner: K P Raghuvanshi
Additional Commissioner 1: Rajneesh Seth
Additional Commissioner 2: Subodh Jaiswal
Deputy Commissioner: Jaijeet Singh
Senior inspector: S P Temkar
Inspectors: Sunil Deshmukh, Arun Khanvilkar, Tajane, Bramhe, Dinesh Ahir, Wadke and Sanjeev Khaire
Sub Inspectors: Sanjay Kadam, Sawant and Gaikwad. Constables inducted from Gamdevi, Jogeshwari, Tardeo and other police stations
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